I made a similar request last year after the revolution but as we come into high season, I'd like to ask how past, present and potential visitors feel about coming to Egypt for their holidays. Even the non-diving package tourism.
We've taken a massive hit since the dizzy peaks of 2010 before shark attacks and a revolution almost crippled the business here, and my centre just got super busy because we are in German high season right now - and we don't have the staff to cope. In fact, all the major operators in Sharm are stretched to their limits. Foreign staff left in their droves; there's a lot of new and inexperienced staff - mostly Egyptian but also a fair few foreigners trickling in for their IDCs and IEs, and for sure I'm seeing a lot of things underwater that I don't like.
We know that travel agencies hedged their bets last year and didn't push Egyptian resorts as hard as they might have done in the preceding years, and because their aircraft apparently have to be scheduled up to a year in advance, they were scheduled for Greece, or Fuerteventura, or some other sunny winter holiday resort. This meant that seats on planes were at a premium - so instead of a lot of half-empty charter flights and hotels that in turn generate the "last minute late deal", actually, booking late has become increasingly more expensive - because there is no room on the flights any more.
But because I live here, I have a very objective view of what's going on. I understand the general business principles involved in the mass tourism market, but I don't really get a feeling for what people in Europe are thinking. I understand perfectly why people would think twice about coming here, but it's not something I ever have to think about...!
So - I'd like to know your thoughts and opinions. Did you find it's changed for the worse since the revolution? Were you put off visiting because of the uncertainty of the political future of the country, or even that they've elected an Islamic government - and please, please don't start a heated debate about politics and religion - purely tourism and dive holidays! I'd also like to hear from people who have worked in Egypt or are thinking of looking for work here in the future....
Thanks for the input...
Cheers
C.
We've taken a massive hit since the dizzy peaks of 2010 before shark attacks and a revolution almost crippled the business here, and my centre just got super busy because we are in German high season right now - and we don't have the staff to cope. In fact, all the major operators in Sharm are stretched to their limits. Foreign staff left in their droves; there's a lot of new and inexperienced staff - mostly Egyptian but also a fair few foreigners trickling in for their IDCs and IEs, and for sure I'm seeing a lot of things underwater that I don't like.
We know that travel agencies hedged their bets last year and didn't push Egyptian resorts as hard as they might have done in the preceding years, and because their aircraft apparently have to be scheduled up to a year in advance, they were scheduled for Greece, or Fuerteventura, or some other sunny winter holiday resort. This meant that seats on planes were at a premium - so instead of a lot of half-empty charter flights and hotels that in turn generate the "last minute late deal", actually, booking late has become increasingly more expensive - because there is no room on the flights any more.
But because I live here, I have a very objective view of what's going on. I understand the general business principles involved in the mass tourism market, but I don't really get a feeling for what people in Europe are thinking. I understand perfectly why people would think twice about coming here, but it's not something I ever have to think about...!
So - I'd like to know your thoughts and opinions. Did you find it's changed for the worse since the revolution? Were you put off visiting because of the uncertainty of the political future of the country, or even that they've elected an Islamic government - and please, please don't start a heated debate about politics and religion - purely tourism and dive holidays! I'd also like to hear from people who have worked in Egypt or are thinking of looking for work here in the future....
Thanks for the input...
Cheers
C.